A wild cherry tree honours a beloved teacher's legacy at SMG
A wild cherry tree now stands at Städtisches Meerbusch-Gymnasium (SMG) in Strümp, planted in memory of Klaus Winkelmann. The long-serving teacher passed away at 64, just before his planned retirement. Nearly seven years later, his former students and colleagues have honoured his legacy with a lasting tribute.
Klaus Winkelmann taught at SMG for many years, overseeing the upper school and joining the teachers' football team for the annual Oberstufen-Cup. His sudden death in 2017 left a mark on the school community.
The idea for a memorial tree came from Janis Hülder, an SMG graduate who helped organise the project. The current graduating class—Winkelmann's last group of students—planted the tree themselves. Preparations on the school grounds were managed by teachers Ute Meurer and Ulrich Franzen, both of whom worked closely with him. Local businesses supported the initiative. Baumschule Schubert, a nursery in Strümp, donated the wild cherry tree. Stahl- und Metallbau Jürgens, a metalworks firm in Lank, provided the memorial plaque. The SMG parents' association collected additional donations to fund the project.
The tree now serves as a quiet reminder of Winkelmann's impact on the school. Planted by those he taught, it stands near the place where he spent much of his career. The project was completed without wider public attention, reflecting a personal gesture from the SMG community.
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